Block-molding machine



Aug. 7', 1928; 1,679,483

, A. F. LEWIS BLOCK MOLDING MACHINE I NV EN TOR. ANSON F: LEW/S. oscnaso. [A IZABffTH LE WIS. ADM/NlSTRATR/X.

A TTORNE Y.

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A. F. LEWIS BLOCK MOLDING MACHINE Filed Dec. 28, 1925 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 I NV EN OR. ANSO/V E LEW/S DECEASED. [LIZ/5577f ZfW/S. Amm/mmAm/x.

A TTORNE Y.

Patented Aug. 7, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ANSON F. LEWIS, DECEASED, LATE OF SANTA BARBARA, CALIFORNIA, BY ELIZABETH LEWIS, ADMINISTRATRIX, OF SANTA BARBARA, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR TO MOR- TAR'LESS TILE MACHINE COMPANY, OF SANTA BARBARA, CALIFORNIA, A CORPO- RATION OF CALIFORNIA.

BLOCK-MOLDING MACHINE.

Application filed December This invention relates to block molding be produced with the minimum of labor.

Another ob ect of the invention is to provide an improved upper compressmg member for a block molding machine.

machine.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved means of exerting upward pressure on a block molding machine.

An additional object of the invention is to provide an improved latch mechanism for the cover of a block n'iolding machine.

Other objects of the invention will be apparent from the following description talcen in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

liig. 1 a side elevation of a cement blocli machine embodying the features of mv invention;

Fig. 2 is a horizontal section taken on line 2-2, Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section taken on line 3-3, Fig. 1; I

Fig. 1- is a side elevation similar to Fig. 1 showing the opposite end of the machine and the position of the levers when the material has been compressed;

Fig. 5 is a transverse section taken on line 5-5, Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5 showthe parts in the position occupied when a block is compressed;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the top handle and latch mechanism with the parts in latched position;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary sectional detail of An additional. object of the invention is to provide an improved means for exert ng pressure downwardly on a block molding 28, 1925. Serial No. 77,953.

the latch mechanism in an unlatched posi tion; I

Fig. 9 is a sectional detail of oneofthe plungers taken on line 99, Fig. 2; Fig. 10 is a perspective View of the loadmg tray;

v Fig. 11 is a top plan view of the pallet, and

Fig. 12 is a not.

Referring to the drawings by reference characters, I show a pair of rigidly connected frames 10 which are held in spaced relation by means of a base plate 11. A. mold 12 of rectangular form is secured upon the base plate 11. The upper part of the mold 12is adapted to be closed bya cover 14. which is supported for swinging movement upon arms 15 secured to the mold 12 on pivots 16.

Secured to the base plate 11 by bolts 18 are hollow spaced core members 19 which form the cavities in the finished blocks. The bolts 18 engage plates 18 which fit shoulders on the bottom of the core members. The bolts 18 also engage plates 18 which fit against the bottom of the base plate 11. This construction allows the cores to be removed or adjusted.

The base plate 11 is provided with slots to accommodate an ejecting and compressing frame 21 which includes cross rods 22 and longitudinal bars 23. This ejecting frame is supported at each corner upon vertically disposed rods 24. These rods are connected at their upper ends to the bars and at their lower ends are connected to cross members 25. There are "four of the rods 21 and two of the cross members 25. These cross members 25 are spaced apart and are rigidly connected to an inverted longitudinal channel member 26. The channel member when in its lower position rests on the top of the lower part of the frames as shown at 27 in Fig. The channel. member 26 is mounted for vertical movement between guide rails28. secured to the frames 10. Pins 29 projecting from the opposite sides of the channel members engage the guide bars to prevent longitudinal displacement of the channel members,

The member 26 is adapted. to be manually elevated through the medium of grooved perspective view of theprodsegmental pulleys and chains or other flexible members 31 which are connected to the pulleys and to eyes 32 which are socured to the channel 26. The pulleys 30 are keyed for rotational movement on a shaft 31 journaled in suitable bearings arranged on the frames 10. A handle 33 is secured to each pulley 30. This handle is adapted to be gripped to turn the pulley.

Pivots 35 are journaled upon suitable hearings on brackets 86 fixed to the frames 10. These shafts support pivoted links 37 which pivotally engage operating levers 38.

The levers 38 are each secured as at 39 to the pulleys 30 and the construction is such that as the pulleys are turned by the handles 33 the levers 38 will move horizontally and will move upwardly.

Rods 40 are mounted on the cross mem bers :25 and these rods have heads all which limit their upward movement but allow the cross members to move upwardly independent of the rods. There are two of the rods 40 at each end of the machine and each pair of rods is secured to a yoke 42 which fits within flanges 43 as shown in Fig. 2. The yokes 42 have shafts 4-1 thereon which support grooved pulleys 45. These pulleys 45 engage the levers 38 and the construction is such that as the lever reciprocates and raises and lowers, the rods 40 and the cross members 25 will be raised and lowered to thus raise and lower the ejecting and compressing frame 21.

A pin is mounted at each end of the frame. This pin engages one end of a coil sprin 51, the other end 52 of which engages the cdiain 31 previously described. This spring 51 will take up any slack in the chain and will preventthe links from becoming entangled thus interfering with the operation of the machine.

Upon examination of the drawing, it will be seen that the relation of parts is such that the levers 38 will move to the left in Fig. 1 and will engage the pulleys 45 thereby causing the heads 11 on the rods 40 to lift the cross members 25. This action will continue while the chain 31 is being straightened until the axis of the pivot 39 passes beyond the vertical plane passing through the axis of the shaft 31 about which the pulley 30 turns. This action will cause the rods 40 to lift the cross members 26 and also lift the rods 24 which are secured to the compressing and ejecting frame 21 thereby lifting this frame.

As the pulley 3O continues its rotation the chain 31 will be tightened and will begin to raise the channel memberQG. This channel member 26 is secured by bolts to the cross members 25 so that as the chain continues to lift the channel member it will lift the cross members 25 thereby lifting the rods 24 and continuing the upward movement of the compressing and ejecting frame 21. This upward movement of the chain :21 will not be followed by an upward movement of the rods 40, but rather these rods 40 will remain substantially stationary, sliding idly in their apertures in the cross members 25, while the rods 2st continue the ejecting operation.

The first operation caused by the lever 38 engaging the rollers 41 gives great multiplication of power and causes the concrete in the mold to be tightly compressed. After this compression takes place more rapid action is desired and this 'apid action is effected by means of the operation of the chain 31 as described.

In order to change the amount of compression the nuts 56 and 57 upon the lower part of the rods 21 may be. shifted to change the relative position of the cross member 2:) and thereby change the upward movement of the compressing and ejecting frame 21.

In order to provide a reaction member against which the upward thrust can act. I

show the cover 14 as provided with holes (30 through which pins 61 pass freely. These pins are shown as threaded in a compression plate 62 and in an upper compression member 63. This compression member (53 fits within the slot (34: inv which the. lower compression member 21. moves.

The rods 61 are threaded to receive nuts (35 and 66 so that coil springs 67 may be interposed between washers (58 and the upper side of the cover 14 for normally urging the compression plate upwardly against the cover. Collars 6.9 surround the rods 61 above the cover 11 to limit the downward movement of the upper compression member. It will be understood that through an adjustment of the nuts and 66 the range of movement of the upper compression member can be effected.

In order to move the upper compression member 63 to compressing position within the mold form, I mount a pair of cam on each of the arms 1:"). These cams are pivoted to turn with shafts 76 and the cam surfaces 77 are arranged to pass through openings in the cover 14 and to engage the compression plate 62. The cams are keyed on the shafts 76 to turn together and to provide uniform motion, the cams are conl l l Oil shaft 82 journaled in the arms'15 of the cover. Fixedly mounted on the shaft 82 is a U-shaped yoke 83 which has end portions 84 which serve to limit the movement of the yoke rearwardly. The hooks 81 being loosely mounted upon the shaft 82 are free to occupy an enga ed position with respectto the flange 80 for holding the cover in closed position. The shaft 82 has collars 85 pinned thereto. Those collars have upper and lower offset lugs 86 and 87 thereon. The upper lug 86 is a ranged to engage a shoulder 88 on the hook 81' while the lower lug 87 engages the face of the hook 81. In order to release the hooks when opening the cover, the yoke is moved thereby causing the lugs 86 to engage the shoulder and thus move the hooks 81 so that their bills disen age the flange 80'. The portions 8st serve to limit this movement of the yoke 83 so that as soon as the hooks disengage the lip the movement of the yoke 83 is checked and further movement of the handle lifts the cover so that the releasing and lifting action requires but one movement. A reverse movement of the handle when the cover is closed causes the lug 87 to engage the face of the hook 81 and move it to closed position.

Adjacent one end of the machine I provide a support 90 for a work table 91. Upon this work table is a U-shaped member 92 within which a rectangular frame 93 moves. This frame 93 is provided with handles 94: at each end thereof and the frame is preferably of a size so it will hold the proper amount of concrete for making one block in the machine.

In using the device the wet mixture is placed in the frame 93 and the handles 94 are grasped and the frame is rapidly moved back and forth causing the concrete to settle. The frame is then moved to the left in Fig. so that the concrete will enter the mold cavities. In this description it is presumed that the cover 14. is raised. After the concrete has passed into the mold the yoke 83 is grasped and the cover is moved to the closed position as shown in Fig. 1. This action, due to the fact that the yoke 83 is at one side of the axis of the shaft 82, will cause the weight of the yoke to automatically move the hook 81 to engaged position against the flange 80". One of the handles 33 is then grasped and the pulley is rotated. The first action will be a movement of the levers 38 toward the pulley. This movement of the levers will also cause an upward movement of the lever so that the pulleys will be lifted thereby lifting the rods 40. The upward movement of the rods 40 will cause an'upward movement of the cross member 25 thereby lifting the rods 24 and causing an upward action against. the ejecting and compressing flange 21.

Before the concrete is placed in the mold, a pallet 96 as shown in Fig. 11, the upper surface of which conforms with the lower surface of the block, is dropped into the mold so that it rests on the compressing and ejecting frame. The upward movement causes. a compressing of the concrete from the bottom upwardly. This done, one of the handles 81 is grasped and the cams are locked, causing the upper compression member to move downwardly thereby compressing the cement downwardly and forming a compact block. The yoke 83 will then be grasped and moved so that the lug 86 engages the shoulder 88 to release the hooks 81. The continued pulling on theyoke 83 will cause the cover to be moved to the dotted line shown in Fig. 4. hen this operation is completed the handle 88 will be further rotated thus tightening the chain and moving upwardly the rods 24:. This upward movement of the rods 24 will not be accompanied by an upward movement of the rods 10. As the handle 33 is moved the completed block is moved upwardly until its bottom is substantially flush with the top of the mold after which it can be grasped and removed.

The machine described is adapted for manufacturing many types of blocks. In Fig. 12, I have shown one block at 100 wherein the block is provided with bottom ribs 101, top grooves 102'; and with end tongues and grooves 103 and 104 respectively. 105.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

1. In a concrete block machine, a mold, cores in said mold, an upwardly moving compression member movable between the cores and the mold, a plurality of rods connected to said compression member and means to move said rods vertically, said means comprising a pair of levers, and means to move said levers horizontally and upwardly.

The block is provided with grooves 2.In a device of the class described, a

mold, a cover mounted on said mold, means to hold .aid cover in closed position, said means including a hook. a shaft on which said hook is mounted for free movement, a yoke fixed on said shaft, a collar fixed on said shaft, said collar having a pair of means whereby said collar may move the hook in two directions, and means to rock said shaft.

3. In a device of the class described, a cement block machine including a supporting base, a mold thereon, a cover pivotally mounted on said mold, means to hold said cover in closed position, said means including. a pair of spaced hooks, a shaft on which said hooks are mounted for free movement, a yoke fixed on said shaft, a pair of collars fixed on said shaft, each of said collars having a pair of spaced lugs thereon, a shoulder on each hook, one of said lugs being adapted to engage a shoulder on the hooks to rock the hooks in one direction and the other lug being adapted to engage a face of the hooks to move the hooks in another direction.

l. In acement block machine, a frame, a mold, cores in said mold, an upwardly moving" compression member movable between the mold and the cores, a plurality of rods on which said compression. and ejecting member is mounted, means to move said rods, a plurality of other rods, means connecting said two sets of rods, lifting pulleys on said last mentioned rods, and means to lift said pulleys.

In a device of the class described, a cement block machine including a supporting base, a mold thereon, a cover pivotally mounted on said mold, means to hold said cover in closed position, said means including a flange on the mold and a pair of spaced hooks, a shaft on which said hooks are mounted for free movement, a yoke fixed on said shaft, a pair of collars fixed on said shaft, each of said collars having a pair of spaced lugs thereon, a shoulder on each hook, one of said lugs being adapted to engage a shoulder on the hooks to rock the hooks in one direction and the other lug being adapted to engage a face of the hooks to move the hooks in another direction, said shoulders having limited free movement relative to the hook and means to limit the movement of said yoke in one direction, said last mentioned means engaging said cover.

6. In a cement block machine, a frame, a plurality of core members on said frame, a mold surrounitling said cores, an upwardly moving compression and ejecting member movable between the mold and the cores, a plurality of rods means connecting said compression and ejecting member and said rods. lifting pulleys on said rods, and means to lift said pulleys.

'i'. In a cement block machine, a frame, a. plurality of core members on said frame, a mold surrounding: said cores, an upwardly movin; compression and ejecting member movable between the mold and the cores, a plurality of rods on which said compression and ejecting member is mounted, eonnect'ne; members for said rods, a plurality of pulleys on said frame, a pair of flexible members. each having one end fitted to said pulley and the other end secured to a conneeting member, said pulley having a handle thereon, a plurality of rods slidably fitted through said connecting member, means on each of said last mentioned rods to limit its upward movement. lifting pulleys on said last mentioned rods, and means to lift said pulleys.

S. In a cement block machine, a frame, a plurality of core members secured on said frame, a mold surrounding said cores, an upwardly moving: compression and ejecting: member movable between the mold and the cm -s, a set of rods, means conncctiuc said rods with said compres'sIon and eje ting: member, pulleys on each of said rods and means to lift said pulleys. said means compr 'ing a pair of SPtlCttl levers mounted on s.i.d frame. and means to lift said levers.

9. In a cement block machine, a frame. a plurality of core. members secured on said frame, means to hold said core members in place. a. mold sarroundiimsaid cores, an upwardly moving compression and ejecting member movable between the mold and the. cores, a set of rods on which said coi'npression and ejecting member is mounted, cross members connecting each pair of rods, a channel member connectinir said cross members, a plurality of p nt-c: on It frame. a. pair of chains. one end of each chain being: secured to a pulley and the other end of each chain being: secured to said channel member, said pulleys having handles thereon. a second set of rods slidably titted through said cross members, means to limit the upward movement of said second set of rods. pulleys connccted to said last mentioned rods, and means to lift said pulleys, said means comprising a pair of pivoted levers, one end of each of said levers being pivotally connected to one of said first mentioned pulleys whereby when the pulleys are rotated the lever will move upwardly thereby lifting the secom set of rods.

10. In a cement block machine, a frame, a plurality of core members securedv on said frame, means to hold said core members in place, a mold surrounding said cores. an upwardly moving compression and ciecting member movable bet-ween the mold and the. cores, a set of rods on which said compression and ejecting member is mounted, cross members connecting each pair of rods, a channel member connecting said cross members, a plurality of pulleys on said frame. a pair of chains, one end of each chain being secured to a pulley and the other end of each chain being, secured to a channel member, said pulleys havin c handles thereon, a second set of rods slidably titted through said cross members, means to limit the upward movement of said, second setof rods, a pair of pulleys at each end of said frame, said last mentioned rods being connected to said pulleys and means to lift said pulleys, a cover on said mold, said cover having a, downwardly moving compression member thereon, means to move said compression member, said means comprising, a pair of cam members at each end of said member and means to rock all of said cams in unison.

11. In a cement block machine, a frame, a plurality of core members secured on said frame, means to hold said core members in llti llii

place, a mold surrounding said cores, an upwardly moving compression and ejecting member movable between the mold and the cores, a of rods on which said compression and ejecting member ismounted, cross members connecting each pair of rods, a channel member connecting said cross members, a plurality of pulleys on said frame, a pair of chains, one end of each chain being secured to a pulley and the other end of each chain being secured to said channel member, said pull having handles thereon, a second set or rods slidably fitted through said cross member, means to limit the upward moi ltlll} id second set of 1rd, a supporting m .n-er at each end of s frame, a pair of pulleys on each of said siuiport-ing members. said last n'icntioned rods being connected to aid pulleys and means to lift said pulleys, said means comprising a pair of spaced levers, and means to operate said levers, said means being connected to one of said first mentioned pulleys whereby when the pulleys are rotated the lever will move upwardly thereby lifting the second set of rods.

12. In a cement block machine, a frame,- a plurality of core members secured on said frame, means to hold said core members in place, a mold surrounding said cores, an upwardly moving compression and ejecting member movable between the mold and the cores, a set of rods on which said compression and ejecting member is mounted, cross members connecting each pair or rods, a longitudinal member connecting said cross members, a plurality of pulleys on said frame, a pair of chains, one end of each chain being secured to said longitudinal member, said pulleys having handles there on, a second set of rods slidably fitted through said cross members, means to limit the upward movement of said second set of rods, a pair of pulleys at each end of said frame, said last mentioned rods being connected to said pulleys and means to lift said pulleys, a cover on said mold, said cover having a downwardly moving compression member thereon and means to move said compression member, said means comprising cam members.

13. In a cement block machine, a frame comprising a pair of spaced members, a table on said frame, a plurality of core members on said table, means to removably hold said core members in place, said means including a flange on said core member and a coupling member engaging said flange, a mold surrounding said cores, an upwardly moving compression and ejecting member movable between the mold and the cores. a set of rods on which said compression and ejecting member is mounted, cross members connecting each pair of rods, a channel member connecting said cross members, a plurality of pulleys on said frame, a pair of chains, one end of each chain being secured to a pulley and the other end of each chain being secured to said channel member, said I pulleys having handles thereon, a second set of rods slidably litted through said cross members, a head on each of the rods of said second set to limit their upward movement, a supporting member at each end of the frame, means to guide said supporting members, a pair of pulleys on each of said supporting members, said last mentioned rods bein connected to said pulleys and means to lllt said pulleys, said means comprising a pair of spaced levers, links on which said are mounted, said links being pivoted to said frame, one end of each of said levers being pivotally connected to one of said first mentioned pulleys whereby when the pulleys are rotated the lever will move upwardly thereby lifting the second set of rods, a cover on said mold, said cover having a downwa dly moving compression member thereon, means to move said compression member, said means comprising a pair of cam members at each end of said members and means to rock all of said cams in unison.

14-. In a cement block machine, a frame, a core member on said frame, a mold surrounding said core, an upwardly moving compression member movable between the mold and the core, a plurality of lifting pulleys, means to connect said pulleys to said compression member, and means to lift said pulleys.

15. In a cement block machine, a frame, a plurality of core members secured on said frame, a mold surrounding said cores, an upwardly moving compression and ejecting member movable between the mold and the cores, a pair of rods at each end of said frame, means connecting said rods with said compression and ejecting member, and means at each end of said frame engaging said rods to lift them vertically.

16. In a cement block machine, a frame, a plurality of core members secured on said frame, means to hold said core members in place, a mold surrounding said cores, an upwardly moving compression member movable between the mold and the cores, a lifting member, means to connect said lifting member with said compression member, and means slidably engaging said lifting memher for moving said compression member.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto afiix my signature.

ELIZABETH LEWIS, Administratrim 0f the estate of Anson F.

Lewis, deceased. 

